Forums » Suggestions

BBS in-game

Aug 19, 2010 Alloh link
So, as previously proposed, we should have a tab for an in-game BBS.

Similar to Comm tab, but with tabs for player short ads, bounty offers and claims, trade notices (shortages, offers, requests), Guild news, 'email'...

As an interesting alternative, easier to test/implement, this BBS can be implemented in a web server, and players recommended to run in a external browser window.

Once it works, simply use Lua and a simple ingame WAP browser tab. No need for full http, only simple rendering and basic menus using links.

Also interesting allow offline players to read this ingame BBS. No connection grom game to forum, breaks immersion.

Some features, as edit Guild news and PM messaging could be kept open in web, using any browser. Possibly as an extension to now existing forum.

Plz notice that are many open source tools that could be tailored to do the server side BBS.

It relates to many questions asked by many others.
Aug 19, 2010 tarenty link
+1 to a new PDA tab. -1 to a web server. A web server isn't very immersive.
Aug 19, 2010 Alloh link
Tarenty, the web server will be invisible ingame. It's just a tool for hosting it offloading game servers, and a faster way to develop a BBS, with ad board, newsposts, PM &+, and (possibly) integrating it with the web outside.

Add 2h delay (uncertainty) to online/ingame status, thus making impossible to track alts, for those willing to conceal.

Same delay applies to personal ads, only shows those who its owner decided to show. From Merc offers to surplus sales, all go.

And enabling PM and editing of personal ads from the web (offgame), it cannot be used to track online status. Even more, you will be able to PM as another alt, using another external browser window.
Aug 19, 2010 ryan reign link
Sounds good.
Sep 02, 2010 Alloh link
A few topics, already available in VO main site, should be visible in-game, inside PDA:

*Technical
-Manual (text-only, no frames)
-FAQ (filtered)
-Backstory

*Sports
-Duel Stats
-Race Stats
-Event News

*Intelligence
-Player Guilds
-CtC captures
-Bounty news

Please notice how easy it would be to offer localization, using simple web based tools, as translations for manuals and FAQs.

This is indirectly the best way to reach a broader audience. Inclusive, it could be offered web-based translations for rare languages, as an optional [GoogleTranslate] button. But for more frequent languages, a real translation, reviewed, should be hosted.